Janet, don't go too hard on yourself, I mean, compard with other blogs, your blog is bursting with photos of yourself and your house. Are you experiencing a bathtub-backlash? You could easily delete that posting, if it is what makes you self-conscious?

Hope you are having a good time "outside the blog". I am almost sure you are!Paula

Very cute self portraits, Janet. Do you set up the camera on a tri-pod for these shots or does hubby take them? Kick ass outfit! I hate anyone taking pictures of me. I can relate to the self conscious thing. I write a self help blog for women going through divorce but lately I'm feeling I can't open up the way I would like to because certain people may be reading it that I'm not intending the blog for i.e. ex-husband? father? brothers? etc. Must not take any shit, as you say :)

Well I love this look and I think it is cool that you and TOm were sartorial twins, though you like much lovelier! I go through feeling like that on my blog - you always look divine and are so inspiring. But like you say, this too shall pass!

I have no idea who/what jack reacher is. Boy I'm out of it. I hope this is just a passing phase for you. You have a lot of people waiting to hear and SEE more of you, your outfits and your house. So snap out of it! :)

I wish I had been wearing a thermal shirt this a.m. when I went for my walk and it was 40 degrees out!

I've been feeling a little self-conscious too lately so you are not alone. Maybe it's the chilly weather we are experiencing in So Cal! Or a 55 thing. :/

Love the comment about not taking any shit from anyone. I recently decided that about my next door neighbors...after almost 5 years of their crap enough is enough. And of course they think WE are the bad neighbors. Ha!

This is my very first time ever to post on a bloggers site. I read alot of them - find them fascinating!People from all over the world - so different and yet so alike. Yours is a personal favorite...In all honesty I don't know why, maybe it's YOUR honesty, your "real"-ness. You have inspired me - I want less...need less and in the first time in my life am feeling a true acceptance of myself...accepting of my wrinkles - on my face and in my personality. I am truly content. Thank you for helping me along the way.

Hi Janet, Your comment about wearing the same thing as Jack Reacher reminded me of this: I went to pick up a newspaper at the printer's the day after Steve Jobs passed away. I felt a little uncomfortable when everyone kind of stared at me as I walked through the office. When I got home and read the front page article about Mr. Jobs, it described his every day outfit as a black turtleneck, jeans and New Balance walkers. Lo and behold, I was wearing the exact same thing! I guess the office workers thought I was giving a tribute or trying to channel Steve Jobs. Steve and I know comfort when we wear it. ha haKathleen

So maybe you need a break to recharge your batteries! That's OK and part of the creative process. Why not re-run some of your fave early blogs and spend a couple days in Joshua Tree or Ojai or Solvang or Idyllwild just roaming about? When we find ourselves "empty" it's time to step back and fill up again.

I subscribe to 6 blogs total and I always open yours first because I can totally identify with you. If you take a break, please come back! You are dearly admired and our inspiration for classy and frugal living/dressing/eating with great style.

I often feel self contained. I have no want to write, or even take photographs. Perhaps, it is the winter duldrums, or maybe you are shifting and internalizing. I sometimes feel as if I am not myself. No matter what, keep your chin up, buy some flowers that make you happy and watch more movies! I hope you feel more you soon.

Hello beautiful Janet,Like Steve said...maybe a group hug-- and a vacation?!I'm waiting for Jack Reacher to come to Netflix, I loved Knight and Day. On another note, have you ever done a post on "what's in your "vegan" pantry or Vegan 101? I was just wondering.xoannie

hi Janet, thanks for your honesty, you do inspire many people with your blog. A year ago I posted a few outfits on my blog and was very self conscious but I do enjoy fashion. Someone made a rude comment and I haven't done it since. I am not saying that has happened to you just that I sacrificed something I enjoy because I was concerned about what people may think. Plus I need to lose about 15 pounds of belly fat to feel better about myself. Do what you enjoy, if you need to take a break from blogging, I think you would return with oodles of fresh ideas and recipes, helpful hints etc. I would miss you though!

It is the time of hibernating for most mammals. Maybe we all would feel better with a little hibernating. Lately, I have not wanted to leave the house, and delay until I don't have to until tomorrow. It only happens to me in the winter (and once during a semi-serious depression) So, my solution is a little more nesting, and naps in a sunny room with a cuddly blanket ;) Dreaming of long days and breezy beaches.Sincerely,MirandaSF Bay Area

Janet-I, also, went into the movie expecting to hate it. (Afterall Tom Cruise is SO, SO, SO miscast for Jack Reacher from the books!). But, if you've never read the books -- and understand how egrigously he is miscast in that role -- the movie is quite enjoyable. That being said, he doesn't have (and shouldn't!) have the fashion sense that you have always exhibited!SKJ

Ditto! I knew I wasn't going to like it...but I did... and I really liked his one & only shirt, a thermal Henley, and I like yours, too!! Wear it, warm up in it, and we've got your back 'cause Jack left on the noon bus...xoxo, Chris

The self conscious thing is probably (temporarily) healthy... it might mean you're less narcissistic than the average blogger. And I mean that as a compliment! So many of these fashion and lifestyle blogs are narcissistic and materialistic, even without the blogger realizing it - blogging, facebook, twitter and so many other modern inventions have made us so self-obsessed that we don't even recognize narcissism as what it is anymore. But, I've never gotten that vibe from your blog. It's one of the many reasons I keep reading.

Totally agree with this! Your blog is so refreshing. I look at some fashion and lifestyle blogs and i am blown away by the narcissism, the materialism and the repeitive nature. Are there really people who shop every day, never wear the same thing twice and spend so much time taking pics of themselves? You have a wonderful blance here! Please keep posting pics of yourself and your clothes. They are so inspiring!

Lover all your outfit posts and also lover your total honesty! I saw Jack Reacher and I was pleasantly surprised, having read all the books. Tom was so different from the book version that it seemed a whole new gig. Janet, I have a question about your bread. The dough is rising nicely, but seems to flatten when it goes in the Creuset. how do you transfer your dough?Janey

I agree with anonymous at 12:11-you're not the average blogger. And yes - SO very many of these fashion and lifestyle blogs are narcissistic and materialistic but I've never gotten that from your blog. Haven't seen Jack Reacher but I went to see "Lincoln" yesterday. It was like history come to life- I felt like I was actually watching Abraham Lincoln on the big screen. What a wonderful historical depiction. The set, costumes, actors were all so believable. I cried and laughed and was mesmerized.

Commenting from the cold, damp East Coast, I'm thinking how fortunate you are to have good health, the presence mind to know you are what you eat, and wearing but a thermal shirt in the dead of Winter!

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hi, i'm janet and i write this mediocre blog. i do try to live as simply and as stylishly as i can in this small cottage that was built in 1890 for the gardening staff of a large estate. i love vegan cooking, gardening, jack white and herringbone jackets.